Press
Release

FBI
Responds to CableLabs' Release of its Cable Broadband Intercept
Specification
For the Cable Industry to Comply with
The Communications Assistance Law Enforcement Act (CALEA)

The
FBI responded to CableLabs' release of a technical specification
developed to facilitate the cable industry's compliance
with the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act
(CALEA). The Cable Broadband Intercept Specification represents
the cable industry's interface specifications for broadband
data communication services.

"This
technical specification is an important milestone in the
cable industry's efforts to effectively address court-authorized
law enforcement concerns," said FBI Assistant Director
Marcus Thomas of the Operational Technology Division, responsible
for overseeing the FBI's CALEA implementation efforts. "Law
enforcement must be able to protect the safety and security
of the American public from criminals, spies, and terrorists
who misuse the cable broadband communication access services
to perpetrate their crimes. The FBI will continue to work
with the cable industry in the refinement of this specification
and development of future comprehensive solutions to address
law enforcement's court-authorized needs."

CableLabs'
effort to standardize a technical solution for court-authorized
electronic surveillance of broadband data communications
services was initiated shortly after the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) found broadband data communications services
fell within the scope of CALEA.

"Much
to its credit, CableLabs recognized the importance of the
issue identified by the FBI and Department of Justice in
its petition before the FCC and started work on this specification
almost immediately. They involved us from the outset and
worked hard to address our concerns in a very timely manner,"
Assistant Director Thomas added.

As
the FCC envisioned, CableLabs actively sought law enforcement
input into its technical standard process to ensure law
enforcement's court-authorized intercept needs were effectively
addressed.

The
FBI will continue to work closely with the industry regarding
CALEA comprehensive solutions to address court-authorized
law enforcement concerns.